Top 5 Underrated Animated Films
Are you an animation nerd? Are you someone who can quote all of Beauty and the Beast without breaking a sweat? Do obsess over Dreamworks films and get excited when they announce new projects? Want to be even more of an animation nerd and enjoy some unknown animated gems? Then this list is for you
Starting off the list, this animated French film focuses on a young girl named Zoe and her cat who happens to have a double life. At night, he helps a burglar rob people. Meanwhile, Zoe’s mother, the head of police, is trying to find the man who murdered her husband. Intrigue, drama and a cat? What more can you ask for?
Before Brad Bird was famous for the Pixar film, the Incredibles, he directed a little animated film featuring Vin Diesel. While this film wasn’t a financial success, it’s become a classic due to the relationship between the title character and young human, Hogarth Hughes. Beautifully animated, poignant and sometimes funny, the Iron Giant is a true gem of animation
Many consider Hayo Miyazaki to be the Japanese Walt Disney. While he Spirited Away made him famous, there was another wonderful, fantastical film he created in 1986. The story focuses on a boy named Pazu who recuses a mysterious girl who floats down from the sky. Not only is the movie gorgeous to look at like most Miyazaki’s works but it’s filled with delightful characters and enjoyable, excitable action scenes.
Le Roi et l'oiseau (The King and the Mockingbird) : Another piece from France, this feature is actually a film that inspired Miyazaki himself. While the film was completed in 1950’s, the film wasn’t released until thirty years later. Despite that, this animated treasure still holds. It’s a surrealist fantasy piece that centers on a talking bird who mocks a cross eyed king. The king falls in love with a young maiden who wants nothing to do with him and with the help of the bird, she and her lover, a young Chimney sweep, manage to outwit the king.
Based on the novel of the same name by Peter S. Beagle, this movie has earned its cult status. The animation reflects the style of 80’s which adds to this film’s charm. It’s all you want in a fantasy film: adventure, magic, creatures and even a bit of romance. If you’re a die heard animation fan, this movie needs to be in your collection
